Expect a high-scoring game when the No. 23 Arizona Wildcats (7-3) and the New Mexico Lobos (3-7) go head-to-head at Dreamstyle Arena. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 16, 2017, and it can be seen on CBS Sports Network.
Arizona Wildcats at New Mexico Lobos ATS Preview
The last time the Wildcats played, they beat the Alabama Crimson Tide, 88-82. Deandre Ayton was Arizona’s high scorer with 29 points on 12-for-18 shooting. Arizona played a nearly flawless game. They had a phenomenal offensive rebounding percentage of 36.4 (above their season average of 32.4) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.589 (above their season average of 0.575). Alabama recorded marks of 22.5 and 0.468, respectively, for those same stats.
The Lobos are trying to rebound after their 65-62 loss to the New Mexico State Aggies in their last contest. With 13 points and seven rebounds, Troy Simons played well for New Mexico. New Mexico State had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (35.7 vs. 23.7). New Mexico, on the other hand, did a fantastic job of making free throws (12-17; 70.6 percent).
It will be a showdown of conflicting paces as the up-and-down Lobos will look to push the more methodical Wildcats. The Lobos currently rank ninth in possessions per game while the Wildcats are 171st. Also, the Wildcats are among the NCAA’s elite at getting to the line, ranking 27th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.306). The Lobos, meanhwile, rank 322nd at keeping opponents off the charity stripe with an opponents FTA rate of 0.304.
This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year, after the Wildcats won the sole game last season, 77-46. The Wildcats dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a phenomenal free throw rate of 0.420 and a superb effective field goal percentage of 0.560. The Lobos were 0.154 and 0.277, respectively, for those same stats.
Arizona Wildcats at New Mexico Lobos Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – New Mexico, ATS Winner – New Mexico, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Lobos average 15.8 assists per game, which ranks 57th in the NCAA. The Wildcats rank 160th in assists allowed per game (14.1).
- Arizona averages 4.6 blocks per game, which ranks 47th in the NCAA. New Mexico ranks 134th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
- Arizona ranks 19th in rebounds allowed per game (30.6) while New Mexico ranks 264th (41.4).
- The Lobos rank fourth in three pointers attempted per game (31.3) while the Wildcats rank 213th (18.9).
- New Mexico ranks 23rd in steals per game (8.4) while Arizona ranks 170th (5.4).
